The New 7th Storey Hotel, demolished hotel
The New 7th Storey Hotel was a guesthouse in Singapore's Downtown Core with nine floors, though its name suggested seven. The building featured a narrow spiraling external staircase and an old-fashioned manually operated cage lift requiring staff assistance.
Opened in 1953 by businessman Wee Thiam Siew, the hotel became a popular stop for overseas travelers and later for traders from India and Indonesia. Following Singapore's independence in 1965, the guesthouse shifted its visitor base and eventually attracted budget-conscious backpackers from Europe and North America.
The hotel served as a social gathering place where locals and visitors danced and enjoyed live music throughout its decades of operation. The rooftop restaurant and beer garden provided informal spaces where people met for evening relaxation and social events.
Located on Rochor Road in a central position, the hotel offered easy access to Bugis Street and nearby shopping areas. Most guests arrived on foot or by public transport since parking was limited in the busy downtown location.
The building actually contained nine floors but only seven guest levels, as the eighth floor housed offices and upper floors served other purposes. This discrepancy between the name and actual structure originated from older Singapore naming conventions that remained unchanged throughout the building's history.
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